- Population Served
- Requests to the Laboratory
- Download Request Forms
- Collection of Specimens
- Transport to the Laboratory
- Packaging of Samples for Transport
- Basic Triple Packaging System
- Newborn Screen Cards
- Results
- Out of Hours Service
- Quality Assurance
Population Served
The laboratory performs the newborn screening service for phenylketonuria for the North West of England but also serves as a reference laboratory for inherited genetic disorders for this area and accepts samples referred from other centres throughout the world.
Requests to the Laboratory
Requests for tests done by this laboratory should be sent from a referring doctor. Routine requests should be sent to the laboratory by the methods relevant to the test as stated in the handbook. Urgent and out of hours requests must be made by first contacting the consultant on duty or head of the laboratory, via the hospital switchboard tel: 0161 794 4696.
The request form must be completed with all required information. The specimen container must also be fully identified with the patient name, date of birth, identification number and the date / time of sample collection.
The Willink Laboratory has its own request form (available for download) but will accept requests for tests written on other forms or by letter from the referring doctor, provided that all relevant information is given. The information given should include:
- Patient name in full
- Identification number eg hospital number or NHS number
- Date of Birth
- Sex
- Consultant or referring doctor's name
- Name and address to where reports should be sent
- Date and time of specimen
- Date and time of sending sample
Specimens which are sent from another laboratory must be identified with the referral laboratory number. This number should also be on the request form.
Specimen containers are identified with the information for each test. These can be obtained from local pathology sources.
Download Request Forms
Click here to download a request card
Collection of Specimens
The laboratory does not provide its own specimen collection service, other than for those patients attending a Willink Unit clinic session under one of our consultants.
Transport to the Laboratory
- Samples are accepted at the laboratory by hospital porters for hospital internal samples, by hand, by external post and by courier.
- The R.M.C.H. hospital porters collect from each ward three times a day, morning and afternoon, and deliver samples to pathology sample reception where they are redistributed. It must be noted, however, that some samples will need to be delivered directly to the laboratory and not wait for the porter service (see appropriate test requirements).
- Samples delivered by hand must be brought upstairs to the laboratory hatch and not left at the office.
- Urgent samples from outside the hospital should be delivered by taxi or courier and must be delivered directly to the unit, not to elsewhere within the hospital.
- Many samples from outside the hospital may be delivered by first class post (see relevant sample and test information if this is allowed).
- Samples must be sent direct to the laboratory, we cannot undertake to collect samples from rail stations or other collection points.
- Samples sent by post should follow the appropriate packaging requirements of the postal system used (see below).
Packaging of Samples for Transport
Samples must be sent to the laboratory in a special closed polythene bag which allows the sample and the accompanying request form to be kept separated. Samples with a category 3 infection risk must be clearly marked with a yellow CATEGORY 3 RISK sticker on the request form.
Samples being delivered by post should follow the guidelines set down. Post Office regulations require that all pathological samples are sent by first class post. The use of second class letter or parcel post is specifically forbidden. Padded envelopes used alone without a suitable inner container are not permitted. The regulations (RML 12/87) are summarised below.
- Hazard group 4 pathogens are prohibited, other pathological specimens may be sent provided that they comply with the regulations.
- Specimens may be sent by qualified medical, dental or veterinary practitioners, a registered nurse, a recognised laboratory or institution.
- Members of the public may not send such specimens unless requested to do so by one of the above who must supply them with the required packaging and instructions.
- Only first class letter or Datapost may be used.
- There is a range of acceptable packaging but the following must be observed.
- Every specimen must be in a primary container hermetically sealed or otherwise securely closed. The capacity of the primary container must not exceed 50mL unless specifically permitted. The primary container must be wrapped in enough absorbent material to absorb all possible leakage , and sealed in a leakproof bag.
- The container and its immediate packaging must be placed in one of the following.
- a polypropylene clip-down container
- a cylindrical light-metal container
- a strong cardboard box with a full depth lid.
- The appropriate groove in a two piece polystyrene box, empty spaces must be filled with absorbent material, the box must be secured with adhesive tape.
- A padded outer bag is recommended.
- Soft absorbent packaging must be used between samples to prevent contact.
- Written agreement from the Post Office is required for non-standard packaging.
- The outer packaging must be labelled 'PATHOLOGICAL SPECIMEN - FRAGILE WITH CARE' with the name and address of the sender.
- Theraputic and diagnostic materials such as blood products are accepted under the same conditions.
- Packets found in the post which contravene the regulations will be detained and may be destroyed. Any person who sends deleterious substances without conforming to the regulations may be liable to prosecution.
Please note. Infectious pathology samples may only be transported in packaging which meets the U.N. class 6.2 specifications and the 650 packaging requirements. These new packaging requirements are described below.
Basic Triple Packaging System
The system consists of three layers as follows:
Primary Receptacle
A labelled primary watertight, leakproof receptacle containing the sample. The receptacle is wrapped in enough absorbent material to absorb all fluid in case of breakage.
Secondary Receptacle
A second durable watertight, leakproof receptacle to enclose and protect the primary receptacle(s). Several wrapped primary receptacles may be placed in one secondary receptacle. Sufficient additional absorbent material must be used to cushion multiple primary receptacles
Outer Shipping Package
The secondary receptacle is placed in an outer shipping package which protects it and its contents from outside influences such as physical damage and water while in travel.
Information concerning the sample, such as data forms, letters and other types of information that identify or describe the sample and the identity of the shipper and receiver should be taped to the outside of the secondary receptacle.
NB CONTAINERS RECEIVED WITH SAMPLES
As we receive a great number of samples for testing from outside the hospital, we also receive a great number of transport containers. It is now our laboratory policy that all re-usable sample transport containers received with postage paid return labels will be returned to the initiating laboratory. All other containers will be disposed of.
Newborn Screen Cards
By common consent these regulations are deemed inappropriate for dried blood specimens on Newborn Screening Cards. The blood spots should be allowed to dry thoroughly before packing, the card placed in the transparent paper (Glassine) envelope provided (not plastic as this may cause the specimen to 'sweat') and sent in a stout envelope as if it were a normal letter, first class post.
Results
- Reports from samples taken within the hospital will be issued to the appropriate ward.
- Reports from samples sent from another hospital will be sent to the referring hospital's pathology department.
- Reports from samples sent from abroad will be sent to the referring clinician.
- Reports are issued without delay, usually within 24 hours of results being obtained.
- Positive diagnostic results are communicated to the referring consultant by our duty consultant by telephone.
- Telephone results are followed by written results within 24 hours.
- The referring laboratory is also informed of positive diagnostic results by a senior member of the appropriate section.
- Urgent results, such as for prenatal diagnoses, may be communicated by secure fax transmission. These will always be followed by a written report sent within 24 hours.
- Results will not be communicated to patients or their relatives or to any unauthorised person with the following exception:- Phenylalanine levels of treated PKU patients may be given to parents if authorised by doctor / dietician.
Out of Hours Service
Urgent investigations will only be performed following discussion with one of our consultants. They may be contacted via the hospital switchboard, Tel 0161 794 4696. (see general information and notes on tests available)
Quality Assurance
The department participates in national external quality assurance schemes to monitor the accuracy and precision of its analyses. Internal quality control is used to check the validity of results on a day to day basis.
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